Mallory Park British Superbikes: Rizla Suzuki duo hoping for dry conditions

Both Rizla Suzuki British Superbike representatives have said they’ve both got their fingers crossed for dry weather at Mallory Park for the rest of the weekend.

Tom Sykes and Atsushi Watanabe ended the first Free Practice sessions third and seventeenth fastest with just one session of the opening day being in dry conditions.

And both riders have said they want more clear conditions today after a BSB season hit by rainfall.

Sykes, who topped the wet practice session yesterday afternoon said: “Free practice one was good as it was bone dry and I was putting in consistent lap times on old tyres.

“We made some geometry changes to the suspension and that helped matters too, so I’m feeling confident in our dry settings for Mallory Park.

“The second session was wet and we have made some big changes to our wet set up so it was good to get on track and try them.

“I felt very comfortable and confident, we will just have to wait and see what the weather brings.”

Team Boss Jack Valentine identified wet setup as something his Suzuki team was lacking with this season, and it appears to be something that Watanabe knows he needs to adapt to.

The two-time Japanese Superbike champ said: “Today [Friday] has been difficult because of the rain.

“It happens every race weekend; one session is dry and I’m learning, learning, learning, but then it rains.

“I had a track day here with John Reynolds so I have good feeling for the little track.

“I just need more track time either in full wet or full dry conditions. Damp conditions are not so good.”